Vanessa McMahon

I spoke with my dear friend Michael Johnson about his award winning short film Brothers Incorporated (2009). Michael is a USC film graduate and expert on the seemingly cryptic art behind Hollywood filmmaking. He took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions about his film as well as discuss his upcoming feature film.

ME: So, Michael, can you share with everyone what Brothers Inc. is essentially about?

MICHAEL: Well, it’s about the struggle of growing up. My protagonist, Marcus, is talented guitarist whose career
is about to take off, but his family obligations are holding him back. His family controls the Black Mafia and Philadelphia. So he has to decide if he’s going to help his father build and maintain control over the city of brotherly love or if he’s going to leave and pursue his own passions.

ME: Now, Brothers Inc. is a short film. Do you have any plans to ever make it a feature film?

MICHAEL: Well, Brothers Inc. is a twenty-three minute long short. I have full-length script for Brothers Incorporated already done. After finishing the short, the story didn’t feel finished. I wanted to see what would happen to Marcus after he made his decision. I think it will make a great feature, but right now I’ve changed my focus to another film - LostAngels . That will be my first feature.

ME: Whoa! Ok, I knew you were writing a feature for Brothers Inc. but I haven't heard of Lost Angels! Did you write it? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

MICHAEL: Yes, I wrote Lost Angels, too. It’s a coming of age story. It starts after Los Angeles has been under a rainstorm for two years straight. The city is trapped and no one knows what to do. The last time it rained for
that long was when the Native Americans ruled the land. The Native American legend was that a powerful man had lost his spirit and that spirit controlled the rain. My protagonist Christopher Chambers’ spirit controls the rain and he lost it when he lost the love of his life. Once he finds himself and grows into a stronger wiser man he can then
save the city from the rain.

ME: Wow! I love that! It could also even be animation! I dont know why but in your description I almost see flashes of something like I Am Legend meets Sin City! But, seriously, it sounds stellar! So, what else has Michael Johnson got up his sleeve?

MICHAEL: Other than writing every day? Well, I’m changing my company into a corporation. Its name will be released later this year. Right now, I’m also preparing to shoot two music videos, one rap and the other R&B. I’ve also been approached to shoot a documentary for a church in Philadelphia. I hope that goes well. Basically, I’m just trying to stay on the grind, stay focused, and improve my art every day. 

ME: Awesome! You are Superman! I have a good name for your company... Brothers Incorporated! :-) LOL!

MICHAEL: (no comment)

ME: Michael, you rock! Thanks for interviewing with me. Keep me posted with your work and I know the world will be seeing your grand films on the silver screen in just a matter of time. Big hugs!

Interview by Vanessa McMahon on July 29, 2010